The excisional biopsy is a simple way to remove tumors or growths from the skin or tissues below the skin, and the removed tissue is sent to the pathological lab for the microscope examination. So an excisional biopsy means cutting the tumor off and then examining it to see whether it’s cancerous or not.

It is an office procedure done under local anesthesia. A properly designed excisional biopsy has a length-to-width ratio of 3 to 1 and produces a 30-degree angulation at both edges of the wound. Stitches are needed to close the wound and will also need to be removed sometime following the procedure. If needed, your doctor will place absorbable stitches deep inside the wound to control bleeding, but they won’t need to be taken out.

The potential complications are uncommon, bleeding, bruising, or infection can occur in the wound. Although extremely rare, a wider scar may develop if the edges of the skin die, or the nerves or arteries under the skin may get damaged.